September 27 A READ ZECHARIAH 9–11
Israel’s Coming King and Shepherd
OVERVIEW
In an amazingly specific series of prophecies, Zechariah foretells Israel’s immediate future. Israel’s neighbors will be defeated by an invading force, while Israel will be preserved to the day of the coming Messiah. He will arrive on the colt of a donkey, coming to defend his people and defeat his enemies, as he promised. Tragically, he will be rejected by the people and betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. In his place false shepherds will emerge to scatter the flock and lead his people astray.
MY DAILY WALK
Does God have limitations? A seminary student posed the problem to his professor: “Can God make a rock so big that he cannot pick it up?” To which the teacher wisely responded, “Yes . . . and then he would pick it up anyway.”
God is infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing, almighty. But he does have limitations: He cannot act contrary to his promises; he will never contradict his written Word; and he will not ignore the consequences of our personal choices.
This explains why Jesus, the fulfillment of prophecy, God’s only Son, could be rejected by Israel. God would not force the nation to accept him if it chose instead to reject him. But though the people were free to make the choice, they were powerless to escape the consequences of that choice.
Where in your life has God made his will clear to you through his Word, wise counsel, or prayer—and yet you are resisting it? Zechariah would be the first to tell you that it is dangerous to say no to God.
THE PROPHETS LAID BARE THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE NATION.
INSIGHT
Greece, a Sticky Problem for the Critics | Zech. 9:13
Like Daniel (Daniel 8:21; 10:20; 11:2), Zechariah mentions a nation’s rise to power (Greece) long before it occurred (Zechariah 9:13). And like Daniel, he receives the critics’ doubts for this supernatural insight.
INSIGHT
A Prophetic Bull’s-Eye | Zech. 11:12-13
Zechariah’s prophetic marksmanship was incredible. Compare Zechariah 11:12-13 with Matthew 27:1-9 and notice how both the purchase (a potter’s field) and the price (thirty pieces of silver) were foretold five hundred years in advance.
Judgment against Israel’s Enemies
1This is the message* from the LORD against the land of Aram* and the city of Damascus, for the eyes of humanity, including all the tribes of Israel, are on the LORD.
2Doom is certain for Hamath,
near Damascus,
and for the cities of Tyre and Sidon,
though they are so clever.
3Tyre has built a strong fortress
and has made silver and gold
as plentiful as dust in the streets!
4But now the Lord will strip away Tyre’s possessions
and hurl its fortifications into the sea,
and it will be burned to the ground.
5The city of Ashkelon will see Tyre fall
and will be filled with fear.
Gaza will shake with terror,
as will Ekron, for their hopes will be dashed.
Gaza’s king will be killed,
and Ashkelon will be deserted.
6Foreigners will occupy the city of Ashdod.
I will destroy the pride of the Philistines.
7I will grab the bloody meat from their mouths
and snatch the detestable sacrifices from their teeth.
Then the surviving Philistines will worship our God
and become like a clan in Judah.*
The Philistines of Ekron will join my people,
as the ancient Jebusites once did.
8I will guard my Temple
and protect it from invading armies.
I am watching closely to ensure
that no more foreign oppressors overrun my people’s land.
Zion’s Coming King
9Rejoice, O people of Zion!*
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,*
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.
10I will remove the battle chariots from Israel*
and the warhorses from Jerusalem.
I will destroy all the weapons used in battle,
and your king will bring peace to the nations.
His realm will stretch from sea to sea
and from the Euphrates River* to the ends of the earth.*
11Because of the covenant I made with you,
sealed with blood,
I will free your prisoners
from death in a waterless dungeon.
12Come back to the place of safety,
all you prisoners who still have hope!
I promise this very day
that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles.
13Judah is my bow,
and Israel is my arrow.
Jerusalem* is my sword,
and like a warrior, I will brandish it against the Greeks.*
14The LORD will appear above his people;
his arrows will fly like lightning!
The Sovereign LORD will sound the ram’s horn
and attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert.
15The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people,
and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones.
They will shout in battle as though drunk with wine.
They will be filled with blood like a bowl,
drenched with blood like the corners of the altar.
16On that day the LORD their God will rescue his people,
just as a shepherd rescues his sheep.
They will sparkle in his land
like jewels in a crown.
17How wonderful and beautiful they will be!
The young men will thrive on abundant grain,
and the young women will flourish on new wine.